City News

City of Joondalup Fun-Filled NAIDOC Week Celebrations

3/07/2009 3:38:06 PM

The City of Joondalup will celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with an exciting program of free activities during July.

The City of Joondalup will celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with an exciting program of free activities during July.

‘NAIDOC’ stands for the National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee, an organisation which coordinates a day of commemoration for Australia’s Indigenous peoples.

The City’s NAIDOC program will start on Monday 6 July, when a flag-raising ceremony will take place outside the City’s Administration building.

This will be followed by a range of free activities, including a NAIDOC Fun Day from 1pm to 4pm on Tuesday 7 July at the City’s Leisure Centre in Craigie.

Children and adults alike will have the opportunity to participate in fun and educational activities like workshops with the Department of Environment and Conservation, bush tucker tastings and a performance by the talented acoustic trio, Moana Dreaming.

On Wednesday 8 July, City of Joondalup Libraries at will host a captivating look at Aboriginal mythology and culture.

Brenton Clinch will weave magical tales and play his didgeridoo to delight listeners; then Nyoongar Elder Lorna Little will read from her enchanting children’s book, The Mark of the Wagarl.

Sessions will be held at Whitford Library at 1.30pm and Joondalup Library at 3.30pm.

At Lakeside Joondalup Shopping City on Saturday 11 July at 11am, Aboriginal dance ensemble Common Ground will give a riveting performance involving traditional and contemporary dance, music and story-telling.

The NAIDOC Print Project: Honouring our Elders, Nurturing our Youth will be held from Tuesday 7 July to Sunday 19 July at the blender gallery, Central Walk, Joondalup, and the ECU Breathing Space Gallery, Mt Lawley.

This unique exhibition is a joint educational venture between the City, the Department of Corrective Services and Edith Cowan University, and features artworks by Aboriginal prisoners at Casuarina Prison.

Designed to facilitate greater understanding of the ongoing social, political and cultural challenges facing Indigenous Australians, the exhibition is also a celebration of Aboriginal history and culture.

All City of Joondalup NAIDOC events are free, however places for the NAIDOC Fun Day and Library Story-Telling Sessions are strictly limited, and bookings are required.

Please telephone 9400 4912 further information or to reserve your place